A recent decision by Governor Andrew Cuomo to eliminate DMV vision tests for drivers in the process of renewing their license from here on out has brought about quite a bit of controversy in recent days.
The Queens Gazette reports that the state Commissioner of Motor Vehicles has put off the change to not require a vision test upon renewing a license on hold until she has time to meet with an advisory group comprised of transportation, health and safety experts to decide what can be done to ensure safety on New York roadways if eye exams are no longer required.
Apparently, a self-certified thumbs up is good enough for our Governor, but not for other state officials looking to keep roadways free from New York car accidents caused by a motorists with deteriorated vision.
Queens personal injury lawyers know that this new policy mostly affects our older population of drivers, but is still a bad idea for any driver not to be required to get a vision test from time to time. Aging definitely affects our ability to see with 20/20 vision but so can the development of severe allergies, cataracts, diabetes, glaucoma, migraine headaches, night blindness or other severe medical conditions that don’t necessarily have anything to do with age.
The motive to cut vision tests by Governor Cuomo and his administration came about because the DMV and other state government agencies were being required to cut spending. By eliminating the jobs of state employees who administer vision tests at DMVs, it would save the state a considerable amount of money.
Up until now, New York motorists have been required to take an eye exam either at the Department of Motor Vehicles (NYDMV) or at a doctor’s office upon renewal of their license every 8 years. In 2010, there were approximately 2 million licenses renewed in the state of New York. The cost to renew a driver’s license in 2010 was $62.50. By allowing motorists to renew online or through the mail, the state saves roughly $15 million that would normally go to the county if a driver was required to come in for a vision test in order to renew their license. The county collects 12 percent of ever renewal that is done in person by a local DMV.
What the state needs to consider is that by allowing drivers who don’t meet state vision requirements to drive on New York roadways, the cost of death and damages skyrockets. The amount of money associated with deaths, property damage, hospital expenses, injuries, lost time from work, and emergency services personnel and equipment would cost the state and those who live, drive and work here millions of dollars annually.
We live in a world driven by money, budget cuts and spending but eliminating vision tests for drivers renewing their license is not the solution to countermeasure funding issues. Maintaining vision test requirements can keep roadways safer and put motorists at less risk of intersection accidents or other accidents caused by the seeing-impaired.
If you or someone you love is injured in a New York City car accident, the Law Offices of Nicholas Rose, PLLC can help you sort out the details surrounding the accident and determine who is at fault. If you need to speak with an experienced car accident attorney, call 1-877-313-ROSE (7673) today.
Additional Resources:
Keep DMV Vision Tests, The Queens Gazette.
More Blog Entries:
Elders Faced with Tough Decision or Risk Serious Injury in New York Car Accidents, New York Injury Lawyer Blog, September 21, 2011.
